Automatic telephone system



March 30, 1926. 1,579,026

VV.VV.C)VVEPJ AUTOMATI C TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed March 10 1919 3 Sheets-Sheet J [nu/2222b? Ma'wh 30, 1926.

W. .W; OWEN AUTOMATI C TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Ma 3 Sheets-- Sheet 2 March so, 1926. 1,579,026

W. W. OWEN AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filedfiarch 10 1919' 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 [nUE nZur Patented Mar. 30,. 1926. V

WI LIAM wA 'rnnownN, OF 041; ranii, :In 'Lr vors, ssrGnioa'BY ME SNE ASSIGN- 'MENTS, T

or Dun-AWA amnesi ss -23m! erf il' sdo t: tri A: 'CO'R' 'fQRATI AUTOMATIC resum SYSTEM.

Application filed March 10, 1919. Serial Noi 281,779.

My invention relates in general to, an automatic telephone, system and more specifically to improi'ed 'switches for use-in such a system torextend connections between. sub scribers? lines; 1 r I Among; theobjects of my invention are to provide improved impulsecontrolled motor driven switches 'whiclrare noiseless in their action 'and' which operate definitely and accurately withoutthe enormous wear and tearoccasioned by the operationof a'switch whichlis driven by'a ratchet and pawl rangement. Theswitch I: have provided while being of a motor driven type is also of a step by step type which arrangement isthought to be'new in a two'motion switch. I have also so arranged the apparatus of this switch so that only one 'motor' 'magnetis needed as will be explained. The motor being controlled by impulses and adapted to step the wipers of the switch in one'plane to select groups of lines or trunks by the first series ofjimpulses and' tothen automatically step the switch in another planeto the accompanying drawings, when the subi scriher A (Fig. e) ren'ioves his receiverto establish a connection with the subscrlber A, Fig. l

Figs. 1, 2 and 3ishow the mechanism of the switch" employed and the method foitapply ing' the motor magnet to either raise ofrrotate thewipers.*- 1' Fig. 4 shows a calling substation A having access-through ailine-switch G to a so letter-switch .otimyimprovedype'.

V isotmyimproved type andfiwhich' is accessible,- together \\"itl1-.0tl1eifS,"tO the selector Dy 1 and which, maybe operated to connect with one of a number'ot' called lines such as the line A' having-it's associated line Switch C; i I

lleferrillg to'Figs. 1, 2 -aI1 d;3,.I will first describe-the mechanism of the switch "as shown in this figure. The selector an'd connector both having this :jsame' operatii'ig mechanism except that a somewhat different method of control is exercised. in each case. In Figl l have shown :the motor magnet which drives theswitch but I will explain 'itsloperation only'in' general as it. formsthe 7 subject ozta s eparatejapplication; Serial No, 259,062,:filed October. 21, 1918, by John Erickson, and issued as Patent No. 1,493,254, l\fI1ay;6,1-924. 'The motor-consists of a'pair of operating magnets 4 and amounted between apairof brass brackets and-8 and havmgpole p1eces95 10,?11 and'12 extending inwardly to. act upon thefarmature; 'The" armature consists oi a shaft 15"-p'ivoted at Fig. 5 shows a connectors'witch H which i points 13 and 14 in the brass plates 7 and 8 and having a brass piece-'16 fastened there by and carrying, firmly secured thereto, an

iron element '18 which is so formed that one other. -Now when the armature is standing edge; of its outer surface heavier than the inthe position shown and the magnet 1 is energized, the pole'p eces9 and 10 cause the armature to rotateg with its thin edge ad i ancing toward" said pole pieces until it stands in such a position that the heaviest 'p'ort'ion, of the armatureis close to'the pole pieces-9 and "10. Then when the magnet 5 is-energized therotation of the armature will be cont1n1ied1nthe same d rection an- 7 other half turn; Thus it willbe seen thatanj impulsetomagnet 41 and another to magnet v 5 causesthe shaft 15 to make a complete ro-' tationxjon thefouter. end ofthe shaft 15-is wheel 31; Also-mountedonthe shaft 15, in

gear Wheel 22 side'jthe flexible .link- 20" is it. firmly secured to the-shaft: 15. I p I f In 2 1 have 1 shownfa: front view of the switch mechanism which consists of a vertically movable shaft 24: which moves in' sleeve which moves vertically with the the shaft and c'arries the wipers of the switch mounted on ts lower end. This sleeve -1s adapted to be rotated on the shatt 2at by means o't a gear wheel 31 anda pin 32. This pin moves throughan opening in the gear wheel 31 as the shaft; is raised, the gear 31 bein stationary while the shaft is raised. A spring is provided for returning the sleeve to its normal rotary position with regard to the shaft 2 when the double dog releases the gear 31'. This gear 31 is rotated by means of the worm gear 19 de scribed in connection with Fig.1 when the magnet 21 energized.

Referring now to Fig. 3, I have shown a side view of the switchframe and mecha nism showing the motor magnet 5 and "the method of causing this magnet to raise the shaft 2% by means of the gear wheel 28 and the gear rack 27. The gear wheel 28 is mounted on a shaft 34 which is mounted in liearings at each end thereof. one end in the bracket'i-lfi and the other end in the bracket 36 which also supports the magnet 37. This shaft movable lengthwise for a short distance and is normally held in its farthest position to the right bythe tension of a spring S'which bears against the left end of the shaft 3st. At this time, that is normally, the gear wheel 28 is out of engagement with teeth or" the gear rack 27. 'Now: when magnet 31' is energized its armature Dre t iinst the right end ofthe shaft 21-h inci' id shaft to its farthest position to the left and brings the teeth of gear wheel 28 into mesh with the gear teeth of rack 27. A. pinion wheel is also firmly mounted on the slri' 34. and n'ieshes with the teeth ar wheel 40 which meshes on th e release linkby an arm on the armature of magnet 37. That is when magnet??? energizes remove the shaft '34, the --doub le dog 1s released and engages the ratchet teeth on thevertical' side of the shatt2 iwith one of its dogs and engages the teeth of aratchet wheel 4L1 which is firmly secured to the gear wheel 31. hen the usual release magnet energizes it forces thedouble dog"- out of engagement withthe teeth of the ratchets and under the release link where it is held.

' I will now describe the operation of the circuits applied to this switch and which are shown in the other Figures l and 5.

lVhen the subscriber at substation A removes his receiver a'circuit is closed for the line'relay of the line switch C which operates to close a circuit for relay 51 and magnet 52 in series, andalso closes a short circuit about relay 51 to the private wiper, so that if the trunk line upon which the switch is .1*esti.11g is busy ground will be connected directly to the rotary magnet 52 to operate the same to step the wipers to the next contact and'alsouto interrupt its own circuit. Thema-gnet 52 continues its operation until an idle trunk line is reached;

at which time relay 51 is no longer shorted out and will energize in series with rotary magnet 52 to disconnect the'line from the relays of the switch :C and connect it to the seized trunk line. Magnet 52 does not energize over this series circuit due to the high resistance'of relay 51.

As soon as relay 51 energizes a circuit is closed for the line relay 53 of the selector I) (Fig. t); which relay energizes 'to close a circuit at springs 5t and 55 for relay 56. Relay 56 nowenergizes to ground the release-trunk to the switch C at springs 58 and closes circuitv for the magnet 3'? from ground through springs 58and 60, springs 61,- springs 62 and 63, and magnet 87 to battery. Magnet 3'?v energizes at once to bring the gear 28int'o mesh with the teeth otthe gear rack 2?, Fig. 2. Relay '56 also prepares one point in a circuit otmagnet Joli the motor magnet at springs 57, and closes one point in the circuit of magnet l of theanotor' magnet and of relay (i l-at springs and 66.

When the calling subscriber now operates h s calling device for the first digit of the 'ailed number, relay 53 falls back a number ottnnesin response thereto and upon tallmg back closes a circuit for magnet at springs 5t and (37 and also completes the circuit or. relay 64; at said springs. 'lhe energization of magnet 4 causes the shaft of the motor magnetic more 1/2 step and as relay en g e again the circuit of magcontacts in the bank.

then magnet 5 receives an impulse.

net 5 is closed through springs inland 55,

springs 57, and springs 68, Which completes the full first step of the switch shaft. andsteps the wipers opposite the firstlevel of Each time the relay 53 fal-lsback and; pullsup again therefor magnet & receives an impulse of current and Relay 0- which is slow acting, remains energized during this first series of impulses and. maintains the circuit oi relay 69 open at springs 70 and 71. Now, however, as' soon as relay 530011198 tojrest energized after this first series of impulses, relay 6 lfwill fall back and close the circuit of relay 69. at'springs 70 and'71 and through the off normal springs 7 2 which were closed after the first vertical step of the switch shaft. Relay 69, upon.

energizing, opens the circuit" of relay 64 at springs 7 3, opens the circuit of magnet 37 at springs 62 and 63, closes the circuit of magnet 21 at, springs 62 and 74, prepares a new circuit at springs forthe motor magnet 5, and closes a circuit momentarily through springs .76, 77 and 78 for the relay 79. It will be seen that the shaft has iiow been raised to a desired level where it is being held in position by the double dog and that. the magnet 21has now brought the worm gear 19 into engagement with the" gear wheel 31 inreadiness to rotate the hub V to carry wipers around over the contacts in this level. lien relay 79 energizes due to the momentary impulse given it by relay 69,

said relay 7 9' attrac ts itsarinature to. close a circuit for motor magnet 1 at springs 80 and 81 and then deenergizesto close a circuit tor-magnet?) through springs 80 and 82 thus causing the worm gear 19 to, move the hub carrying thewipers so as to bring said wipers into engagement with the first setot contacts of the bank level selected.

As soon as relay 79 falls back and closes its springs 83 a circuit isv prepared foritselt extending to the private wiper 8 Now, it the trunk line. associated with this first set of contacts is busy and a ground is present on, the test contact thereof, then relay .79

will again be energized to transmit another impulse to each of the magnets t and 5 211i1l to open its own 'cir uit at springs 83. Relay 79 continues to operate in thismanner-tO, step the wipers over busy contacts until an idle trunk line is found on thetest contact of which is nov guarding ground. At this time a circuit becomes effective as follows? I not energize in this circuit. Relay -851eiiergizes to hold the release circu t open at.

springs 87,. opens the circuit magnetfil at springs 61, disconnects the pr, ate wiper $4: from relay 7 and connects lt C-liI'eCt to to battery.

the

ground through; springs 58'aiid .59, to hold relay ene zed? ela 85 s. bea the circuit of the line relay 53 and connects the linethrough the wipers 88 and 89 to the seized trunk line. Relay 56 beingslow acting holds the ground on the private wiper t'o keep relay 8 5 energized until ground is supplied thereto from theyseized switch. As soon as relay 85. closes this last circuit, the line-relay 90 the connector H is energized over the linecircuitaiidcloses a circuit for relay 91 at springs 92 and 93. Relay 91-. operates to groui id'tlie release trunk to the switch D through-springs 941 and 95, closesia circuit for them'agi et 37-. at springsfiel. and 96, through springs 97 and 98 and springs 100. Magnet 37: operates as and also for relay 104.. iNow when relay 90Tresponds to] the impulses of the next dig t it-vibratesa number-of times and on each 'cleenergizat on closes a"circu t from ground through springs 92 and'105,spr in' 's 102 and 103 through magnet atito batter and also through springs 106 and. relay 1 l Then as relay. 90 attracts itsarmature 'it again closes a circuit through springs 92 and93 springs 101, and magnet 5 to battery. Thus each falling" back and pulling. upotrelay90 causes the gear shaft or the motor magnet to make one complete revolution and therefore steps the shaft carrying the wipers one step to the first level 0t contacts.v Relays9l and. 104 remain en.-

ergized during this digit and relay 104 while energized maintains the" cii'cu-it'ot relay 107 open at springs108 and109. Now as soon impulses-for this digit cease and relay 90 comes to rest energized, relay 10 i will fallback and close the circuit o'tt."i"elay" 107 which. has been completed by the off normal springs 110; -Relay 107 energizes to open, the. circuit of relay 104- at springs 1'06,-

prepares a circuit for the relay 111 at springs 112,opens the circuit ot magnet 37' at springs 97'and98; closes the circuit of magnet 21 at springs 97 and 99. Magnet 21" now energizes to bring. the worm gear 1.9 H of the motor magnet lnto operative engage-' ment with the rotary gear wheel' jl in readiness to rotate the wipers over contacts in the selected level; As :the. next series of impulses are sent to relay 90 said relay again operates the magnetse and 5 n this case. rotatethe wizpers overcontacts in the elected level to-gafleertainset otacontacts to which are connected the.conductors leading to the line of the desired subscriber. The relay 111 energizes and remains energized during this series of impulses to connect the private wiper 113 to the busy relay 114. Now, it

' nal to the calling line and loci: energized as the usual manner.

soon as relay 111 falls back whereupon the connection may be released by the restoration of the receiver at the calling station in If", however, the called line is idle, then relay 114 will not energize and relay 111 will tall back an instant aft-er impulses cease to close the circuit of wiper cut on relay 115. Relay 115 energizes over a circuit from ground on the release trunk through its upper winding, springs 116 and 117, springs 118 and 119, wiper 118, and through the bridge cut oil relay of the called partys line switch C to battery. Relay 115 locks/itself energized through springs 120, closes the called line through-the ringing circuit at springs 121and 122, and connects grounddirect to the private wiper through springs 119 and 123. Interrupted generator current will-now flow through the ringer at the called substation in series with the relay 124 andas soon as the called subscriber answers relay 124 energizes to disconnect the called line from the generator circuit, and locks itself energized. The back bridge relay 125 is energized in series with the called line and in operating opens the circuit of relay 107 at springs 126 and opens the circuit of magnet 37 at springs 100. Conversation may now proceed over the heavy conductors shown in the drawing and when completed the connection may be released as'ttollows: When the circuit is opened at the callin ationbv the hanging up of the h 7 receiver the line relay 90 or the connector falls back and opens the circuit 0t relay 91 which in turn deenergizes andcompletes' the circuit of the release magnet 130. lvlag net 130 operates to withdraw the ,double dog from the teeth (it the ratchets by which it is holding the wipers in their advanced position, thus allowing the hub or sleeve 80 to rotate b'ackofl' the contacts in the level and then theswitch shaft 24 will drop to its normal vertical position. Magnet 180 also closes a circuit for the motor magnet 5" to insure that the armature ot' the motor ot the switch D therefore falls back to close the, circuit of release magnet 131 which op- Having fully described and ascertained the features and aspects of my invention,

what 1 consider to be new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent will be pointed out in the appended claims.

What [claim as my invention is:

1. In a telephonesystem, an automatic switch having wipers, trunk lines accessible thereto divided into groups, a motor for moving said wipers, means for operating said motor by impulses corresponding to the digits of a called number, a revolving armature for said motor and means for causing said armature to first move said wipers'in'mm plane and then iiranother plane in response to said impulses to seize one oft said trunk lines.

la a telephone system, an automatic switch, trunk lines accessible thereto, a motor having an armature for operating said switch, said arinaturebeing movable in one direction only, means for operating said .iotorby a plurality of series 01" impulses, and means for causing said motor to operate said switch in one plane to pick out a group of trunk lines in response to the first series of impulses and to operate said switch in another'plane to pick out a line in the selected group in response to the nextseries of impulses.

In a telephone system, an automatic switch, a motor for operating said switch, a revolving arn'iature for said motor, a shaft tor-said switch carrying wipers, means for first gearing said armature to the shaft in r such a manner that the shaft will be raised by the operation of the motor, and means for then gearing thesaid arniiature to theshatt in such a manner that the shaft will be retated by the operation of the motor, and means for ope-ratinn the same by transmittiug series ct impulses to said motor.

4. In a telephone system, an automatic switch, a magnetic motor for the switch, trunk lines accessible to the switch divided into groups, a calling deviccitor transmitting impulses to said motor, said motor having, a single revolving armature responsive to a seriesv 01' said impulses to elect a group of aid trunk lines and automatically operated to select an idle trunk line in the elected group.

5, In a telephone system, an automatic st teless magnet with }the ,gear to the shi'aft, and for .then associating. the'ma'gn'et with 'the other gear to rotate the shaft. w

6, In a telephone system, lines, a calling switch having a wiper carrying element device for each line, automatic switches acccssible to the lines for extending connections therefrom, a motor magnet for each switch, a wiper carrying element for each switch, a series of gears operated by each motor magnet, means for operating the motor magnet of a seize-d switch inresponse to impulses from a calling device, and means for associating certain of said gears of the seized switch with the associated element to move the element in one direction while the motor magnet is operating, and for associating another of said gears with theelement to move it in another direction while the motor magnet is operating. I

7. In a telephone system, lines, calling devices therefor, an automatic switch accessible to a calling one of said lines for extending connections therefrom, amotor magnet for said switch controlled by the calling device on the calling line, a worm gear and a gear wheel driven by said magnet whenever it operates, and a pair of clutch magnets, one of said clutch magnets be ng operable to connect said gear wheel with the wiper carrying element of the switch to move it in one direction and the other clutch magnet being operable to connect the worm gearrto said elementto move it in another direction.

8. In a telephone system, a line, a switch for said line, a wiper carrying element for the switch, a motor for the switch, a series of gears controlled by the motor,'a calling device for the line for sending a plurality of series ofimpulses to the switch, said motor operating in response to each series to move said gears, a clutch magnet which operates automatically to interconnect one of said gears with the element only during the first series of impulses to move the same, and another clutch magnet which is operated automatically to interconnect another ofsaid gears to the element during the next series of impulses to move it in another manner.

9. In a telephone system, a line, a switch for said line, a wiper carrying element for the switch, a motor for the switch,a series of gears controlled by the motor, a calling device for the line for sending a plurality of series of impulses to the switch, said motoroperating in response to each series to move said gears, a clutch magnet which operates automatically only during the first series of telephone systems,

impulses ,to interconnect one of said gears with the element to move the sameJandanother clutch magnet which is operate'd'automatcally duriiigEthe next series of 'iinpu'lses 'tdiiitei'connect- -'another of said gearsftoithe "elementtojinove it inf another 1na1ma,.-ant1- "means for "liolding 'the element "111" its admagnets 10. In

vaiiced position independent of the i'notor a telephone system, an automatic which is movable in two planes to extend connections, a motor for said switch having a shaft which always moves in the same direction, means for associating said shaft with said element to move the element in both planes, subscriber controlled means for operating the motor when the said element is moved in one plane, and means for operating said motor independent of subscriber control when the said element ismoved'in the other plane.

,11. In a telephone system, an automatic switch, a motor for said switch having. a

shaft which always moves in the same direction, means for sending impulses to said switch to operate the motor, an element carrying the wipers of the switch and movable in two planes, and means forcausing said motor to operate said'element' in both lecting movements in different planes, a

motor individual to saidswitch for drivin said element in both movements, said motor having a shaft'which always moves in the same direction, and a subscriber controlled line relay in said switch for controlling the Operation of said motor. I

14. In a switching device for automatic telephone systems, a main shaft movable longitudinally only, an auxiliary shaft movable longitudinally with said main shaft,

said switch having a said auxiliary shaft having also a rotary movement, and a subscriber controlled elec- -tromagnetic motorfor operating both of said shafts as set'forth.

' 15. In aswitchiiig device for automatic a main shaft I movable longitudinally only, a hollow auxiliary, shaft concentric with said main able longitudinally shaft also having a subscriber,

therewith, said auxiliary v a rotary movement, and a controlled electromagnetic shaft an'd inov-n niotor for operating both of said shafts as set forth. 7

'16. In a switching device for automatic telephone systems, a main shaft movable longitudinally only, an auxiliary shaft supported on and movable longitudinally with said main shaft; said auXilia-ryshaft having also a rotary movement, circuit closing ,lVlPGl'S supported on said auxiliary shaft,

1 forth.

V Signed by me at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois, this 4th day of March, 1919.

VILLIAM WALTER OXVEN. 

